Blower motor with flexible support sleeve

Abstract

A double-ended blower includes a blower motor assembly supporting opposed first and second shaft ends. The first and second shaft ends have respective first and second impellers attached thereto and enclosed within first and second volutes, respectively. The first volute is connected to an inlet and the second volute is connected to an outlet. The blower motor assembly is at least partially enclosed within a flexible sleeve, with a radially outer inter-stage gas path extending between the first and second volute, and radially inward of the flexible sleeve.

1. A blower for transferring a gas from a source to a destination, said blower comprising:
 a blower motor assembly and a flexible elastomeric component that at least partially surrounds the blower motor assembly, the flexible elastomeric component and blower motor assembly cooperate to at least partially define a gas flow path therebetween, and 
 wherein the flexible elastomeric component is adapted to direct gas along the gas flow path to one or more stages of the blower motor assembly, and the blower motor assembly is at least partly supported by the flexible elastomeric component, the flexible elastomeric component including a plurality of resilient members structured to support the blower motor assembly on a chassis of the blower. 
 
     
     
       2. A blower comprising:
 a blower motor assembly supporting opposed first and second shaft ends, said first and second shaft ends having respective first and second impellers attached thereto and enclosed within first and second volutes, respectively, the first volute connected to an inlet and the second volute connected to an outlet; said blower motor assembly at least partially enclosed within a flexible sleeve; and said flexible sleeve and blower motor assembly including an inter-stage gas path extending between the first and second volutes and radially inward of said flexible sleeve. 
 
     
     
       3. The blower of  claim 2  wherein said flexible sleeve is substantially cup-shaped, having a peripheral sidewall and a bottom wall. 
     
     
       4. The blower of  claim 2  wherein said blower motor assembly is supported on a plurality of resilient members. 
     
     
       5. The blower of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of resilient members are formed in said bottom wall of said flexible sleeve. 
     
     
       6. The blower of  claim 2  wherein said blower motor assembly includes a motor body including a bottom wall, a peripheral sidewall, a motor cap and top and bottom covers, wherein said first impeller is located in a first space between said motor cap and said top cover, and said second impeller is located in a second space between said bottom wall and said bottom cover, and further wherein an open end of said flexible sleeve is attached to said top cover of said motor body. 
     
     
       7. The blower of  claim 2  wherein said flexible sleeve is constructed of a silicone rubber material. 
     
     
       8. The blower of  claim 2  wherein said flexible sleeve is constructed of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       9. The blower of  claim 6  wherein an underside of said bottom wall of said blower motor assembly is provided with a plurality of vanes for deswirling flow into said second volute. 
     
     
       10. The blower of  claim 6  wherein a top surface of said bottom wall of said flexible sleeve is formed with a plurality of vanes for deswirling flow into said second volute. 
     
     
       11. The blower of  claim 6  wherein an aperture is provided in said peripheral side wall of said flexible sleeve for receiving an outlet boss on said motor body. 
     
     
       12. The blower of  claim 6  wherein said flexible sleeve is substantially circular, with a reduced diameter rim at an open end of said peripheral sidewall. 
     
     
       13. The blower of  claim 12  wherein said reduced diameter rim includes a radially inner lip seated in a groove provided in said top cover. 
     
     
       14. The blower of  claim 12  wherein said reduced diameter rim has a thickness greater than remaining portions of said peripheral sidewall. 
     
     
       15. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus or Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) apparatus comprising the blower of  claim 2 . 
     
     
       16. The CPAP/NIPPV apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising apatient interface, such as a mask. 
     
     
       17. A CPAP/NIPPV apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the CPAP/NIPPV apparatus is pre-set to deliver inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) during the inspiratory phase of the patient's breathing cycle, and to deliver expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) during the expiration of the patient's respiratory cycle. 
     
     
       18. A CPAP/NIPPV apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the IPAP is greater than the EPAP. 
     
     
       19. A CPAP/NIPPV apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the IPAP is about 10 cm H 2  O to about 20 cm H 2 O, and the EPAP is about 4 cm H 2  O to about 10 Cm H 2 O. 
     
     
       20. The CPAP/NIPPV apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the blower motor assembly is configured to generate pressures in the range of about 4 cm H 2  O to 28 cm H 2 O. 
     
     
       21. The CPAP/NIPPV apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the blower motor assembly is configured to generate flow rates of up to of about 180 L/min as measured at a patient interface. 
     
     
       22. The blower of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible elastomeric component is constructed of a silicone rubber material. 
     
     
       23. The blower of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible elastomeric component is constructed of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       24. The blower of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible elastomeric component is in the form of a flexible sleeve. 
     
     
       25. The blower of  claim 1 , wherein the gas path directs gas between at least first and second stages of the blower motor assembly. 
     
     
       26. The blower of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible elastomeric component provides a vibration isolating function. 
     
     
       27. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus or Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) apparatus comprising the blower of  claim 1 .